| Sharing computer storage on home and office | | | | time |
| networks has proven to be an effective way to | | | | USB devices such as printers, hard drives, |
| reduce unnecessary duplication of files, videos, | | | | cameras, have never been designed to be used |
| mp3 for access on various computers and | | | | by several users at the same time. Unlike a |
| laptops. By using a central storage repository, files | | | | normal networked hard drive, in some network |
| are placed there once and streamed or copied | | | | storage enclosures, a user must request access |
| from there as needed, any time and from | | | | to a particular device, and the dedicated |
| anywhere on the internal network, even over the | | | | connection must first be established before the |
| internet. One less expensive way to share files, | | | | drive or device can be used. That adds an |
| even printers over the home network, is to use a | | | | additional step to the process and, for some |
| multi port USB, or Universal Serial Bus, Network | | | | purposes, can make the universal serial bus |
| Storage Adapter. | | | | "shared" device truly unusable. Not all USB |
| USB network storage adapter or enclosure is a | | | | network storage enclosures have that |
| simple serial bus hub that on one side has several | | | | requirement. So check ahead. |
| connectors to hard drives, printers, or possibly | | | | Caveat 2: Connected universal serial bus devices |
| other serial bus devices, and on the other side has | | | | can not take up too much power |
| a TCP/IP normal internet connector. You can then | | | | Many universal serial bus devices require power |
| "share" the various universal serial bus devices | | | | over the USB connection itself. Hard drives |
| over the common home network. | | | | especially can take up a significant amount of |
| Many network storage enclosures are currently | | | | power. So, especially when connecting several |
| offered by several vendors that promise simple | | | | hard drives to one USB network storage |
| sharing of serial bus connected devices over the | | | | enclosure, either choose hard drives that get their |
| home network. Before you buy any of such | | | | own power from the mains, or make sure their |
| universal serial bus network storage adapter, | | | | power requirements of the bus connector are |
| make sure you understand what such "sharing | | | | manageable and sufficiently small. |
| over the network" means and any caveats that | | | | Caveat 3: Your hard drive may need reformatting |
| may apply. By understanding these before the | | | | to be used inside a USB network storage |
| purchase, you will be able to install and take | | | | enclosure |
| advantage of their features instantly without | | | | This can be an unpleasant surprise when you take |
| delay or frustration. | | | | your external hard drive that you have been |
| The three caveats in using universal serial bus | | | | using on Windows, install it in a network enclosure, |
| network storage adapters are: first, USB devices | | | | follow directions (that leisurely advise you your |
| are not meant to be used simultaneously by | | | | data may be lost), and find all your data on your |
| multiple users, second, universal serial bus devices, | | | | hard drive disappear. Likewise, since the disk |
| although designed to draw power from the bus, | | | | format that these drives use will not be |
| can not be using too much power, and, third, your | | | | compatible with Microsoft Windows, pulling the |
| hard drive may need reformatting before being | | | | hard drive out of the enclosure, and inserting it |
| used inside the network storage adapter. | | | | back into the connector on your computer or |
| Caveat 1: Only one user of a USB device at a | | | | netbook will not provide your data. |